Career: Landscape Architects
Landscape architects create outdoor areas that beautify and accent the buildings they surround. But they do more than design around buildings. They also create large open spaces, such as parks and golf courses, and help conserve and restore natural resources, such as forests.
Landscape architects make these outdoor spaces user-friendly, sustainable, and pleasing to the senses. To do so, they draw on their knowledge of design, construction, ecology, botany, horticulture (the study and practice of growing plants), and soil science.
Landscape architects design and create outdoor spaces using plants, trees, structures, and other natural and human-made elements.
Did You Know?
- Most states require landscape architects to be licensed. Before pursuing licensure, you’ll need to graduate from an accredited school and have some work experience.
Are You Ready To...?
- Analyze the climate, soil, slope, and drainage of sites
- Choose plants that will thrive on the site
- Plan the location of buildings, roads, and walkways and the arrangement of flowers, shrubs, and trees
- Create written reports, sketches, plans, and models
- Estimate costs
- Know environmental guidelines
- Use computer-assisted drafting programs and other computer applications
- Work with architects, surveyors, engineers, environmental scientists, and construction contractors
It Helps to Be...
Creative and interested in nature and ecology, as well as good at communicating your ideas to others.
Make High School Count
- Get a good foundation in art and design. Consider taking the AP® Art History exam.
- Do your best in math and physics. Try to get in a year of calculus.
- Consider working or interning with a local landscape architecture firm, an architectural firm, a garden center, or a plant nursery.
- Read landscape architecture journals and magazines to build your knowledge of landscaping styles, plant materials, and trends in the industry.
Did You Know?
- To become licensed, you'll need to pass an exam given by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards and possibly take a state exam.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for landscape architects to grower faster than the average for all careers through 2016.
New laws funding highway construction, bike paths, and other transportation projects will provide jobs for landscape architects. Landscape architects will also take on a greater role in other construction projects. That’s because developers need their help meeting a growing demand for natural elements in human-made environments and complying with laws that protect the environment.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the yearly earnings of landscape architects averaged $60,480 in 2006.
